TBS and TNT, the first two cable television networks in the Turner Broadcasting System, aired children's programming for a period of over 20 years, beginning in the 1970s and continuing through 1998.
Background
In 1986, Ted Turner's cable-TV conglomerate acquired most of the pre-May 1986 MGM film and television library In 1988, its cable channel Turner Network Television was launched and had gained an audience with its film library. In 1991, it purchased animation studio Hanna-Barbera Productions and acquired its large library as well as most of the pre-1991 Ruby-Spears library.
TBS
Early programming included syndicated series such as The Flintstones, The Little Rascals, Spider-Man, Ultraman and Speed Racer.
In the 1980s, WTBS focused heavily on movies, running two during the day, and all movies after 8 p.m. with the exception of sports events. Other times, WTBS continued to run mostly classic sitcoms, and vintage cartoons. In 1986, with Ted Turner's purchase of MGM, WTBS now had the rights to the entire MGM library as well (including certain acquisitions by MGM). This gave WTBS many theatrical cartoons like Tom and Jerry. WTBS began to run The Little Rascals, Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons released prior to 8/1/1948, theatrical Popeye cartoons, and Three Stooges shorts under the banner Tom & Jerry and Friends between an hour and 90 minutes in the mornings and for an hour in the afternoons from 1986 to the mid-1990s.
In 1992, The Jetsons debuted on TBS and TNT due to Turner acquiring Hanna-Barbera. Original animated programming such as 2 Stupid Dogs, and SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron were added as well, as part of the Sunday Morning In Front Of The TV block.
In response to educational program mandates, TBS added a live-action educational program, Feed Your Mind in 1994. On February 20, 1995, TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network simulcasted the Space Ghost Coast to Coast episode "1st Annual World Premiere Toon-In", which included the first World Premiere Toons short "The Powerpuff Girls in Meat Fuzzy Lumkins". Cartoon Planet premiered on TBS in July as a response to Ted Turner enjoying watching the Space Ghost episode on TBS.
TBS' children's programs became part of the Disaster Area block in March 1996. The block's branding featured an offscreen reporter inside a talking tornado of junk. Turner was bought by Time Warner in 1996. Among the programming changes instituted after the merger was the addition of later Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons, released no earlier than August 1, 1948 (as previously mentioned); the change was promoted with the title of Super Looney Tunes on April 14, 1997. Also added were reruns of the WB Animation series Taz-Mania, which had recently ceased airing on Fox Kids.
Children's programs broadcast by TBS
2 Stupid Dogs/Super Secret Squirrel (1993–95) The Alvin Show (1985–86) The Archies (1976–78) The Banana Splits and Friends Show (1971–74; 1979) The Baseball Bunch (1980–85) Battle of the Planets (1984–85) Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990–97) Cartoon Carnival (1970–75) Cartoon Planet (1995–96) Challenge of the Superfriends Dexter's Laboratory (1996–97) Discovery (1978–79) Dusty's Treehouse (1976–77) Feed Your Mind (1994–98) The Flintstones (1969–98) G-Force: Guardians of Space (1987) Garfield and Friends (1995–97) Gigglesnort Hotel (1979–80) Heckle and Jeckle (1983–85) Infinity Factory (1981–82) The Jetsons (1992–98) Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures (1996–97) Kid's Beat (short series; 1983–96) The King and Odie (1969–70) The Little Rascals (1969–86) Looney Tunes (1980–98) The Mickey Mouse Club (1977–79) The New Howdy Doody Show (1976–77) Popeye the Sailor (1971–74; 1980–95) Rebop (1979–81) Romper Room (1972–84) Scooby-Doo (1986–89, 1994–98) The Space Giants (1978–81) Space Ghost Coast to Coast/What a Cartoon! (February 20, 1995) Speed Racer (1971–79) Spectreman (1978–80) Spider-Man (1970–75) Superstation Funtime (1980–86) Encyclopædia Britannica Films SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993–95) Taz-Mania (1996–97) The Three Stooges (1979–95) Tom and Jerry and Friends/Tom and Jerry's Funhouse on TBS (1986–95) Tom and Jerry Kids (1994–95) Ton of Fun/Mini Disaster Area (short series; 1991–97) Tom and Jerry Ultraman (1971–80) Vegetable Soup (1979–83) Yo, Yogi! (1992–93) Yogi and Friends (1993–94)